The most obvious difference was the size of the formations.
Due to the small size of the storage rings, their formations were miniature, but the formations Lin Xiao was working on now were quite large.
These were standard space formations.
Each formation was a fixed-size space. Typically, after modifying, compressing, and sealing such fixed-space formations, they were used to create storage rings commonly used by cultivators.
However, Lin Xiao wasn't pulling out these space formations to make more simple storage rings like before.
After personally crafting the storage rings, he gained a much deeper understanding of spatial formations.
So, he now planned to attempt something bold.
Picking up two of the formation disks from the pile before him, Lin Xiao suspended his hand above the formations and activated them with his spiritual energy. Instantly, transparent ripples began to rise from the surface of the disks.
With a thought, Lin Xiao manipulated the two formation patterns to overlap, one on top of the other, suspended in the air.
Instead of using a typical formation-carving blade, Lin Xiao directly guided his spiritual energy, weaving thin threads of energy between the two formations according to the process he had carefully planned out. His goal was to link the two formations.
This linking process did more than just bind the two spaces together—it also created a degree of overlap. The overlapping space would further solidify the structure, and the folded sections would allow for additional spatial expansion.
Lin Xiao focused intensely as he worked with the delicate threads of spiritual energy, not allowing himself to be distracted.
Although the process seemed simple, it required extremely precise control over each thread. Any fluctuation in his spiritual energy could lead to failure in linking the formations, and worse, it could cause the two space formations to collapse entirely, resulting in a total loss.
This was why most cultivators preferred to use a formation-carving blade.
A good blade would help regulate fluctuations in the user's spiritual energy, making the formations less likely to collapse.
After all, if a formation collapsed after reaching a certain depth during carving, it could result in explosions or other dangerous situations.
A blade could minimize that risk.
Typically, only cultivators with a deep understanding of formations and high cultivation levels, combined with precise spiritual energy control, would attempt to create formations purely with spiritual energy.
For those who met these criteria, the benefits were significant. One major advantage of using spiritual energy directly was the ability to create three-dimensional formations.
When using physical tools, most formations were two-dimensional, drawn on flat surfaces like formation disks.
This wasn't because formations had to be two-dimensional, but because most people were limited in their skills.
It wasn't impossible to create three-dimensional formations using physical tools, but the preparation, design, and stability requirements made it more difficult than simply mastering the direct spiritual energy method.
So, those without high cultivation or deep knowledge of formations generally avoided such techniques.
Despite Lin Xiao's current confidence, he had taken precautions.
He had several life-saving talismans on him and had set up isolation barriers around the room to prevent any unexpected explosions from harming himself or the sect.
These talismans and barriers had been tested by the system, which had charged him 100 spirit stones for the service.
After all, Lin Xiao wasn't sure how much power the experiment would release if it failed.
As time passed, Lin Xiao carefully wove the last threads of spiritual energy, successfully linking the two space formations. Seeing that the two formations had fused perfectly, he let out a relieved breath.
Though this was his first time attempting this, everything went smoothly.
Not bad for him, indeed.
A silent smile of satisfaction spread across his face.
However, when he glanced at the pile of formation disks still on the table, he sighed again.
The journey had only just begun, and this was just the first step.
Setting aside the newly linked formation, Lin Xiao grabbed two more disks and, calming his mind, began the process again.
Having succeeded once, the subsequent attempts flowed much more smoothly, and his speed increased significantly.
Once he had finished the entire pile of formation disks on the table, he pulled out another set of identical disks from his private storage, filling the table once again...
The sheer amount of work made Lin Xiao's night feel especially long.
As dawn broke the next morning and Lin Xiao finished linking yet another set of formations, he took a short break and stepped out.
There was no urgent matter—just a family obligation. Today was the second day after his cousin Lin Lei's wedding, and he had to formally greet his new cousin-in-law.
His father had specifically reminded him of this last night.
To that end, Lin Xiao had prepared a meeting gift for his new sister-in-law.
Although typically, a younger brother wouldn't be expected to present a formal meeting gift to his brother's wife, Lin Xiao figured that as the sect leader, it was appropriate to give something.
But since his new sister-in-law had no prior contact with the world of cultivation, Lin Xiao was careful not to give her anything too flashy or inappropriate for a mortal.
He prepared a pouch of pills that were safe for mortals to consume.
Don't misunderstand—these were merely pills to enhance her physical constitution.
He also wrapped up several books he had carefully selected—stories designed to broaden her perspective and strengthen her character.
Again, don't misunderstand—these were motivational stories, well-suited for someone without much formal education.
However, these books weren't intended directly for his sister-in-law. They were actually meant for Lin Lei.
If his new sister-in-law showed any interest in cultivation, Lin Lei could use the books to help teach her and explain some of the underlying principles, which might help her pass the Heart Trial and join the sect.
It would also give the newlyweds more topics to talk about.
After all, marriages in this era still contained elements of arranged unions, and Lin Lei and his new wife hadn't had much time to truly get to know each other before the wedding.
Marriage is easy, but getting along day to day is much harder.
Although Lin Xiao hadn't experienced this personally, the failure of his parents' marriage in his past life gave him a deep understanding of this issue.
Most broken relationships weren't destroyed by a single event, but rather by countless small disappointments accumulating over time.